Chapter 34: Concern

The café had been open nearly a week.
Opening worries and anxiety—after these days adjusting—Qi Yu’s mind gradually calm and steady.
Honestly running the shop was not easier than nine-to-six. Day-coffee night-bar—long hours—no staff yet—she and Tang Xuejun up early down late. Cleaning, drinks, service, register—all on them.
Traffic not heavy—not overwhelmed—mostly in shop—some rest time.
Qi Yu satisfied with life now—turnover average—but each day on her own plan—simple, full—not rushing for clock-in or hollow praise. Main thing—absolute say in her shop—no sacrificing time and worth for others anymore.
Tang Xuejun was different.
Tang’s family not rich early on—but parents doted, best resources on her. Middle school—Qi Yu already summer jobs—Tang’s family turned, moved to a tier-one city next door, two-hundred-square duplex downtown in Yunjiang.
Later Qi Yu got into a key 211, grad school plus part-time. Tang’s scores only ordinary undergrad—but parents wanted study abroad. Tang disliked abroad—dropped it—four carefree years at a regular college.
Work too—family connections, cushy job in Yunjiang—nepotism herself—nobody crossed her.
Plainly—Tang’s twenty-some years smooth—except the girlfriend dump—barely tasted life’s bitterness.
……
Busy these days—not exhausted—but shattered her lie-flat-wait-for-money boss dream.
Opened Monday—today Friday—endured five days. Past eight she finished drinks, served upstairs—downstairs—ran to Qi Yu coming from restroom, pulled her.
Led to register, sat—Tang slumped looking around—Qi Yu baffled. “What’re you doing?”
“Nothing…” Tang collapsed in chair as if spirit drained. “I think we must do one thing.”
“What?”
“Hire people!” Tang excited—voice rose—Qi Yu’s look—lowered again. “Really—we need two hires—we’re bosses—running to shop every day? I feel half my day in here working.”
Qi Yu raised one brow. “Who said bosses don’t work? Even company bosses clock in.”
Seeing Tang’s face change Qi Yu added fast. “But I’m hiring—relax—not just us forever.”
Tang: “Huh? You hired? Where are they?”
Qi Yu drank water, sighed. “Not that fast—posted on app two days ago—few interested—still chatting.”
“Here.” Handed phone. “One can interview tomorrow morning.”
Tang took phone—fresh things always interested her—fatigue gone—pulled Qi Yu into long hiring talk.
Talking—Qi Yu saw door open—thought customer—Qi Xuan.
Backpack—excited fast walk in—even corner customers looked.
Qi Yu frowned—Xuan plopped beside Tang. “Why’re you here?”
Tang too. “This hour… no evening study?”
“Not skipping?”
“No way!” Xuan righteous to both. “School blackout—evening study cancelled—sent home early.”
Qi Yu: “Not home doing homework—why here?”
Xuan: “Friday—homework tomorrow—came to hang.”
“Thirsty—sis make me something random.”
“……” Qi Yu helpless—wanted to say—swallowed—begging eyes—stood to make it.
Waiting—Xuan on phone—Tang sideways, chin in palm, watching her.
Gaze on Xuan’s face—casual or deliberate.
Stared long—Xuan broke. “Jiejie Yun—why keep looking at me?”
Tang half-smile—long legs crossed, toe swinging. “Haven’t seen you ages—can’t look?”
“No…” Xuan met her eyes—smile in Tang’s—words stuck—turned away, let her look.
Qi Yu set fresh drink down. “Last week Aunt said you had cramps—no ice lately—this one none either.”
Xuan long wail.
Qi Yu face flat—unlike before no more lecture.
Actually Qi Yu had cold two days—ignored until this morning on the way—head heavy light—ignored then.
Faint weakness all day—until making Xuan’s drink—moment dizziness—fatigue surged back heavy.
Qi Yu dared not tough it out—told Tang and Xuan a few words—both sent her home to rest.
Qi Yu gone—Xuan meant to leave—Tang kept her—chat company.
“Chat what?” Xuan sat back obedient.
Somehow—three used to play well—over ten years apart—hard to meet Tang’s eyes long now.
Years apart—or… Xuan stole glances—Tang’s bright features to soft figure. Yunjie now—mature woman charm—none of the plain green girl before.
Caught peeking—Tang not surprised—smiled. “How is it—prettier than before?”
“Mm… yeah.” Xuan blank—turned fast—sipped straw small sips.
Teen pretense—older eyes see through.
Tang stared long—smile on lips. While Xuan zoned out—suddenly reached—pinched her cheek. “What—used to chase me to play—ignore me now?”
“I didn’t… that was kid stuff…” Xuan embarrassed, muttered.
“Hmph, kid…” Tang hmph—released face—leaned closer. “Tsk—seriously you grew up—face round, chubby—now sharp—pin not as good.”
“But… you’re pretty now too.”
Xuan blank—eyes wide—stared.
Qi family genes good—looked like Qi Wenping—not bad. But lively wild—middle school cut ultra short—since then nobody said she was pretty—plenty said sis was…
Tang at her dazed silly look—laughed—arm on shoulder, hugged her. “Complimenting you… why so blank? You weren’t like this kid.”
“Not… I’m not… pretty…” Hugged—Tang’s scent on cheek—looked away—eyes dare not wander—fingers fidgeting glass.
Tang: “Not pretty? I say pretty so pretty—my taste wrong?”
“Sigh… come—lean on sis—dead tired all day.”
Muttered—linked Xuan’s arm—leaned on her shoulder—other hand phone scrolling.
Comfortable—did not notice how stiff the person she leaned on.
Shoulder contact—tingle—barely dared breathe—eyes blank on table—lost.
Could not say where the unease came from.
After all—girls do this normally—Tang half-sister—hugging little sister fine… what was she awkward about.
Xuan looked down—careful glance at shoulder—strange feeling rose—flash—could not catch.
Maybe… not used to body contact yet?
Probably only that reason.
……
Last night Qi Yu took cold medicine before sleep—messaged Tang—would come late tomorrow.
But slept deep—alarm several times unconsciously off—eyes open—phone—nearly ten.
Qi Yu startled—sitting up slow—world spun—dizziness passed after a moment.
Head still heavy—forehead dull ache—limbs soft unwilling to move—heavy fatigue like body ordering rest.
Sat on bed blank a while—gave up—flopped back, curled in quilt—phone to tell Tang.
WeChat—messages from Tang and Jiang Ya.
Tang first—several asking why not here—then guessed health—rest well. Latest—interviewee came in—chatting—emphasis: sweet girl, looks good.
Qi Yu ignored that line—told Tang ask details before deciding—clear today unwell—probably cannot help at shop—Tang hold the fort.
Then Jiang Ya’s messages.
Only two—sent not long ago.
Jiang Ya: *By the way forgot to return your jacket—busy with work these days didn’t remember*
Jiang Ya: *Washed it—when are you free? I can bring it*
That jacket—Qi Yu sleep-fogged—remembered Monday night lent Jiang Ya a jacket—busy days—would have forgotten without this.
Thought—replied: *No rush—I can pick it up from you*
About to sleep again—Jiang Ya replied.
Jiang Ya: *Are you at the shop now?*
Qi Yu: *No—home*
Jiang Ya: *I’ll bring it up now*
Now?
Qi Yu blank a moment—but did not refuse—dragged tired body up to wash—could not receive anyone looking rough.
Jiang Ya fast—five minutes—knock.
Qi Yu ripped open a mask—opened door.
Outside Jiang Ya—pajamas like her—plus shawl, low ponytail, fair soft face.
“Clothes—washed. Busy days—I forgot.” Handed bag.
Qi Yu took bag—logo light luxury brand. “Anytime fine—one piece—you used a whole bag.”
Took folded clothes neat—meant to return bag—looked up—Jiang Ya staring straight—stunned.
Jiang Ya: “Why the mask?”
“Oh…” explaining—footsteps in empty corridor—two men in view.
Eyes drifting to Jiang Ya—Qi Yu realized—stepped aside let Jiang Ya in.
Sofa—Qi Yu poured water. “Ahem… ahem! Fine—little cold—medicine yesterday—rest today should be okay.”
“Little cold?” Jiang Ya heard thick cough rough voice—frowned. “How sudden?”
Qi Yu: “Don’t know… coughed few days—ignored—dragged on—got worse.”
“This little?” Jiang Ya slightly reproachful. “You lectured me—don’t take care of yourself either.”
“……” Qi Yu speechless.
Jiang Ya rarely scolded like this—Qi Yu not annoyed—wanted another topic.
Jiang Ya would not—first time firmly cut her off. “Medicine this morning?”
“Not yet—just up.”
“So no breakfast?”
Qi Yu shook head—coughed twice—held throat itch from heavy cough. “Order delivery later—or skip—almost noon—lunch direct.”
“No.” Jiang Ya frowned—not asking—denying.
Before Qi Yu recovered—Jiang Ya stood to fridge.
Qi Yu watched her back strange—heard her voice. “See what’s in your fridge—I’ll make breakfast—don’t order delivery.”
“Huh?” Qi Yu blank.
Walked behind Jiang Ya—already searching fridge—wanted to refuse—low voice. “No need… trouble—delivery also…”
Unfinished—Jiang Ya turned to look at her.
That look—almost a glare—but more—unquestionable playful reproach.